A Book Report on “Moravians of North Carolina” by Reverend Levin T. Reichel
Many parts of “Moravians of North Carolina” by Reverend Levin T. Reichel were
very interesting. Other parts were dull and boring though full of facts and figures which were ideal for a research genealogist.
Being an Episcopalian that I am, the Unity of the Brethren (Moravians) was officially recognized by the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1749. As noted on page 175 near the end of the book, Moravians came into existence in Bohemia in 1457. It is the oldest recognized protestant church in existence.
Wachovia Bank was bought out by Wells Fargo somewhere around 2010. The second chapter of this book is entitled, “Wachovia” which caught my interest.
Central North Carolina was a wooded wonderland with many rivers and streams running through it. On page 24, Wachovia meant a creek running through a lovely, wooded area similar to a valley in Austria.
Moravians came into existence in America as the result of formation of a land company. The concept was that donors would receive tracts of land in exchange for funds invested into the company.
Gads. Here I am 70 years old preparing a book report after 50 years. It really makes you wonder.
The one thing that really stands out in my mind can be summed up in one word which is “survival.” How the Moravians survived all of their pit falls, major catastrophes, accidental killings and being trapped in a middle of a war is beyond me. They remind me of a soldier trying to survive in a Civil War (War Against Aggression) fighting off disease and pestilence. More died due to that then actual mortal combat.
Other things that stand out in my mind are the need for salt, existence of bee hives and poor attitude towards the American Indians and African Americans. These poor people were considered to be heathens in dire need of Moravian missionary efforts. They also were sorely in need of the word of God and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Obviously, a lack of knowledge and education was always considered to be a constant challenge for the Moravians regarding the existence of American Indians and African Americans. Vital necessities such as the basics which were food and water were necessary for survival of any human being. Religious and spiritual activity may provide an adequate supply of food for the soul and spirit. This lacked in supplementing the nutrition of the body though.
Their economy started feeling the full effects of inflation caused by product availability. As product availability increased, inflation inversely decreased. The needs of the few were equal to the needs of the many. When this was realized, the economy started to stabilize itself.
Social status was congruent with one’s status in the church and land company.
Girls and boys schools became prominent. The knowledge of the powers to be must be impressed upon all of those around them to firm up their positions in society.
What is more important though: Either loyalty to God or loyalty to the community?” They were successful when they let loyalty to God prevail.
Divine guidance taught people to conserve, preserve, plan for and be thoughtful of others. The more thoughtful we are of others the more thoughtful they will be of us.
For things to prosper, they must successfully unite and come together. Such was the case of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They both came together to satisfy a Moravian need to survive and exist through duplicity. Similar communities will continue to support their very existence in religious knowledge, word and deed.
All in all, it was so sad that the African Americans and American Indians were being discriminated against in the name of God and Jesus. The Moravians were once at the bottom of the totem pole. Now other minority races had to take their place. These minority races are now having to suffer and experience ridicule, bias and racial discrimination. The word minority should be removed from our vocabulary.
We Caucasians should forever be in debt to all of them for what we put them through all in the name of freedom and democracy. Every day we should ask God for His forgiveness for all of the unfair things we have done to make our positions more positive. We might have had good goals, but it sure seems like so many had to suffer so we could improve ourselves along with our enhanced pride and ego.
I have never smoked or been associated with any form of tobacco myself. Lastly but not leastly, it is rather ironic that Winston and Salem have been turned into the names of cigarettes. I deeply wonder what would be the Moravians attitude towards this. I am sure that they would be highly perturbed and disturbed knowing that the names of their own towns would be used in something associated with a drug and that is highly habit-forming. Tobacco was turned into a primary crop all in the name of making a profit yet possibly leading to drug addiction in many people. What a shame.